Ugly Story out of Chicago - Lessons for All Of Us

I just got back from Europe and was confronted by an ugly theatre story out of Chicago.

You may have heard about the allegations of years of abuse on and off stage at Profiles Theatre, a prominent theatre company in Chicago, which started as a "storefront" theatre company and was a non-Equity theatre until 2012.  Here is the story reported by the Chicago Reader.  It is long.  It is difficult to read.  It is important to read.  At Profiles Theatre, the Drama - and Abuse - Is Real

After you have read the article - and taken a shower - there is more to the story. As the article states, a Chicago organization - Not In Our House - several months ago promulgated a "Code of Conduct" for non-equity theatres.  That code may be downloaded here:  Draft Code of Conduct.  The Reader article reveals that Not In Our House developed the Code to respond - in part - to rumors, allegations and knowledge of what was going on at Profiles Theatre.  

Reactions in Chicago have been swift:  A petition to the Jeff Awards to rescind a Jeff Award awarded to Mr. Cox - the alleged perpetrator of abuse at Profiles - is under review by the Jeff Awards Committee.  Steppenwolf Theatre - home to actor/author Tracy Letts, whose play "Killer Joe" is discussed in the Reader article - released a statement siding with the victims of Mr. Cox' conduct at Profiles.  These developments are discussed here:  Jeff Awards, Steppenwolf and PeformInk Reactions

One critic has issued a "mea culpa" for his failure to recognize what was going on at Profiles - Christopher Piatt "Mea Culpa"  His article contains an allegation that actors at Profiles tried to get media attention several years ago - but were ignored.

And while I want to think that what allegedly happened at Profiles is an outlier - a bad seed - there are, no doubt, other persons who may be using theatre for their own sadistic purposes.  It is up to all of us involved in theatre to not be silent.  Yes - commenting may jeopardize a career.  But not commenting may jeopardize a life.  No actor - especially a non-equity actor - who is being paid little or nothing for performing - should be uncomfortable with what is happening on stage - and off.  To be fair, I have not heard of similar allegations about anyone in the Central Illinois theatre community.  And, I hope that there are not people like Mr. Cox involved in any Central Illinios theatre company.  But, I know there are those who are involved in Central Illinois who dream of going to Chicago and acting on stage in Chicago, or Minneapolis, or Seattle, or Los Angeles or New York .  Perhaps, until these allegations, those persons wanted to work at Profiles - which was a well respected and award winning theatre company.  But, to get your chance, you should not have to take a chance with your physical or emotional health.